HALLOWEEN AT MACDOWELL: 

We understand that Halloween is an exciting time for the children and we hope that there will be many ways that they celebrate the holiday with their family at home. At MacDowell we do not have Halloween celebrations in the classroom; this is so that we can keep the school day consistent and free from distraction for all of our students and support the students’ learning and focus while they are at school. Please note: Children are not to come to school with candy or arrive dressed in Halloween costume. 

 

Thank you for your understanding.

Principal Corona

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All school newsletters will be sent via email and text on Thursday and will not be sent as a paper copy unless requested. If families would also like to receive a paper newsletter for red folders, please fill out this form HERE:   https://forms.gle/qtgUbEcjqSx3sae47

!! OPT-IN TO TEXT MESSAGING ! To receive a newsletter link via text message be sure to OPT-IN to text messaging from MPS. Text “Y” to 67587 to receive school notifications, transportation updates, newsletters and important messaging.

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Upcoming Events / Meetings

CALENDAR CHANGE :

HIGH SCHOOL ONLY**- STUDENT ATTENDANCE DAY

NOVEMBER 10TH

Due to the Heat Advisory Days in August all HIGH SCHOOL students now attend school on Friday, November 10th

 

HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE WORKSHOP

Wednesday, November 8

6:00 pm

Central Office: 5225 W. Vliet St.

FREE – space is limited

Register online: tinyurl.com/mpsemt2023

FLYER

 

PAPA JOHN’S NIGHT- PTO FUNDRAISER

Monday, November 13

10:00am – 10:00pm

7520 W. Greenfield Ave.

Flyer coming soon!

 

SEC (School Engagement Council) MEETING 

Wednesday, November 15

5:00pm

Room 103

All Are Welcome! A wealth of information 

 

PTO MEETING

Wednesday, November 15

5:30pm

Room 103

 

PICTURE RETAKE DAY

Thursday, November 16

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LIFETOUCH PICTURE PACKAGES & PROOFS HAVE BEEN SENT HOME

• School photos were delivered to all students this week.

• If families did not order a photo package prior to picture day, they will receive a proof sheet with customized codes for their child so that they can order photos online.

• Families will be able to see the image on this proof sheet and will have until the end of this year to order at https://my.lifetouch.com/.

• Picture Retake day will be Thursday, November 16th.

• Retake day is for students who were absent on photo day, and for any student who is retaking their photo. Please make sure your child’s teacher knows that you want a retake photo done. If families ordered a picture package before picture day and did not like it, their student needs to bring the picture package back on retake day and take a new picture. Another picture package will be sent to school. 
• Please Note: Picture Retake day is Thursday, Nov. 16th.

 

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LOST AND FOUND

Our Lost and Found is overflowing! At the end of the month, and each following month, any unclaimed items in the lost and found will be donated. If your child is missing clothing, shoes, water bottles, lunch boxes- stop in the front lobby and check out our lost and found table across from the main office. 

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PTO UPDATE

Thank you to all who participated in the PTO Saz’s State House fundraiser. Our PTO was able to raise over $500 that night! 

Save the Date for November 13th: Papa John’s (7520 W. Greenfield) will donate 15% of all carryout, dine-in, and delivery orders to MacDowell’s PTO. Flyer coming soon!

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MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMP OPPORTUNITY

MacDowell is offering an overnight camping trip opportunity to all 7th and 8th graders.

Camp Upham Woods in Baraboo WI runs October 31 – November 3.

All students received a packet with information, eligibility criteria, and forms to fill out if interested. Mr Eide shared a presentation outlining many of the activities for the trip including: Archery, Outdoor Survival, Canoeing, Tree Identification, Night Time Hikes, Bat Ecology and more. 

All forms and fees with a copy of insurance card are due no later than TOMORROW October 27th.

Additional documents shared with students and families at our informational meeting on October 17th can be found here:  Itinerary / Packing List

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Apply Now! High School Enrollment Is Open for Fall 2024

NOW through Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

**Grade 8 students currently enrolled at MacDowell Montessori, must complete an application and put their current school as their first choice if they want to continue at MacDowell going into grade 9. Applicants already enrolled at these schools for grade 8 do not compete with other applicants for a spot in grade 9.**

 

Visit the MPS High School Enrollment website for more information and to apply. HERE

 

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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Dear Parents and Guardians!

You are cordially invited to join us for Opera for the Young’s production of Beauty and the Beast !

Featuring our students as a Chorus of Birds!

November 3rd, 1:30 – 2:30 pm

MacDowell Auditorium

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Our first BOOK FAIR of the year with Rainbow Booksellers was a GIANT success! We want to thank and acknowledge our fabulous parent community that shows up for our teachers by purchasing all the books from the teacher’s wish lists! Mary Beth from Rainbow Booksellers has never seen parents buy that many books for teachers at any of her fairs! Way to go MacDowell Montessori families! Enjoy your new books! 

See you again in the spring!

We had a nice extra push for sales on Wednesday with the help of a few Upper Elementary students who walked around the block holding signs and promoting the Book Fair! 

Thank you!

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Please join us on November 2nd from 4:30-6:30 pm to celebrate the opening of the new Montessori Model Classrooms at Grant Gordon.  Please see the attached flyer for details.

DO YOU KNOW ANYONE INTERESTED IN MONTESSORI TRAINING?

The district has 20 sponsorships available for AMI Elementary training and 20 for CMSTEP Secondary training!  Pass this FLYER along to anyone and everyone that may be interested!

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Volunteers Needed

🏀CONCESSIONS AT BASKETBALL GAMES: 🏀

High School Athletic Director Ms. Schenk is looking for volunteers to work the concession stand at High School basketball games this winter season. There are multiple time slots for each game, please consider helping once or on a regular basis. See the signup for a list of dates. Any help is appreciated! Volunteers do not need to have a high school student or athlete. The season begins November 28th.            

See the sign up here : https://tinyurl.com/MacD23-24Concession

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Sports and Activities Update

 

ELEMENTARY / MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAM MEMBERS : 

UNIFORM RETURN AND TEAM PHOTO- All athletes should bring their uniforms to final practice to take a team photo and then return uniforms to MacDowell. 

 

1st-3rd GRADE COED BASKETBALL and

4th-5th GRADE COED BASKETBALL TEAM INTEREST FORMS

• Interest forms went home this week in Thursday Folders of 1st-3rd grade and 4th-5th grade students.
• Sign-up will be a lottery. Interested students should return the form (NO FEES) directly to the main office no later than 9AM November 1st. Ms.Wanta will notify families if their student has a spot on the team. Link forms HERE: 1ST-3RD / 4TH-5TH

Interest forms for other Elementary and Middle School athletic teams will be sent home shortly.

 

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS– Register NOW!

Registration is open for winter sports including cheer and girls and boys basketball at Juneau. In addition, boys swim co-ops with Pulaski and wrestling co-ops with Tech. Registration must be fully complete and confirmed prior to starting tryouts/practice. 

Register online only: https://mpsathletics-ar.rschooltoday.com/home    

 

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ATTENTION ALL 4TH GRADE FAMILIES! 

Fourth grade students are eligible for a free membership for the whole family to Riveredge Nature Center in Saukville, Wisconsin!

All parents or guardians have to do is fill out this short online form. Membership includes free hiking all year in our 485 acre natural sanctuary, discounts on programs and merchandise, exclusive events, free snowshoe rentals, and more!

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MacDowell Spotlight

MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECT

Our Three Rivers Project is a nature experience and a Pedagogy of Place experience. It asks the students to view Milwaukee up close and deeply connect to this place that we call home. By studying the three rivers, the history of the native peoples and the white colonizations, the science behind the water quality and the math of what we can do to change the health of our rivers our students will be experiencing cross-curricular and in-depth learning. 

BLACK ARTS MKE

Practices are underway for our Black Arts MKE dance and drumming groups. Black Arts MKE’s mission is to increase the availability and quality of African American arts and culture. Black Arts MKE executes this mission by: Inspiring creativity in at-risk youth through culturally relevant arts programming, providing MKE-based artists of color with employment, access, visibility, and development opportunities through high quality public performances, and strengthening community through engagement and quality arts partnerships. Interested 2nd-5th grade students meet two times a week after school with dance instructor Ms. Karlies and drumming instructor Ms. Oju. Watch for their performances during our Black History Month showcase in February. 

 

📷Do you wish you could see pictures of your child highlighted in MacDowell’s Newsletter?  Be sure they have a current media release on file for the 2023-2024 school year. Feel free to print and return filled out forms to school. There are so many great things happening in our school we love to share with the community. Any questions, or if you need assistance, contact Parent Coordinator Gail Jaeger. Media Release Form SY23-24

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COLDER WEATHER: As the season begins to turn colder, please remember that younger students should have spare clothing for colder weather in their backpack/bookbag. If you have not already done so, now is the time to replace their clothing with warmer weather attire. Please label items!

 

Families that are in need of Holiday support, warm weather gear, food, etc. are encouraged to contact Ms. Rachel Jacobson, School Social Worker. Desk (Office) Number: (414) 935-1432 

Text/Cell (Google Voice): (507) 384-9078, jacobsr@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

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How To Reach Me
If you need to reach me, my phone number is 414-935-1339 and my email is: mossergj@milwaukee.k12.wi.us 

~ Ms. Gail Jaeger 

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QUICK LINKS:

Lunch Menu – October

Lunch Menu – November

MPS School Calendar

School Website

MacDowell School Handbook

IB September Newsletter

HS Athletics Newsletter

Unit 2 Letter to Parents

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Resources & Events

Ways to Support your Students at Home

• Read with them every day / Encourage them to read every day.  Looking for great book recommendations for your child? Check out the MPS Reads lists here
• Support math at home. Regularly ask them to practice counting coins, telling time, skip counting, basic math facts. 
• Create a quiet calm space for homework.
• Ensure they get enough sleep so they are able to work to their fullest potential at school.
• Give your child responsibilities around the house with clear and reasonable expectations. Setting/clearing the table, making their bed, washing/putting away dishes, peeling vegetables, sweeping floors, making lunch, helping with laundry, yard work, feeding animals, etc.  Framing these as their responsibility as members of the household, and not requests to “help out”,  increases their independence, and cultivates daily mindful and responsible action.

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HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE WORKSHOP

Parents, are you looking for guidance on how to pay for your children’s college education? 

You’re invited to attend a free informational session on Wednesday, November 8, at MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St. 

Dinner will be provided at 5:30 p.m.; the session follows at 6:00. 

The session is to help parents of students in grades 9-12 plan for college. Space is limited — register now at mpsmke.com/mpsemt2023. Childcare will be available.

Informational Flyer HERE